FARSCAPE

COLD OPEN

CGI MED on Sheyang vessel, weapons charging.

PILOT: [ V.O. ] The Sheyang vessel is about to fire.

CUT TO - INT. Moya, Command. MED on Chiana and Rygel, cowering against the walls in command.

RYGEL: ( fearfully ) Starburst. Starburst now.

CUT TO CLOSE on Pilot.

PILOT: Moya can't. She isn't ready.

CUT TO - INT. Moya, Command Chiana darts across Command, leaping toward Zhaan, who stands, helpless and confused, her hands raised. The shot 'rocks' slightly throughout, enhancing the confused and fearful tension in the scene.

CHIANA: ( desperately ) Zhaan, Zhaan, do something!

Zhaan's tone is reasonable, but she appears slightly 'unhinged'.

ZHAAN: D'Argo. He can help them.

CHIANA: No, no, no.

Chiana grabs Zhaan's face, trying to force her to focus.

ZHAAN: He can talk to them.

CHIANA: No. Listen to me. D'Argo, D'Argo is gone.

CUT TO MED on Rygel, still peering out from between the 'struts' at the wall.

RYGEL: No D'Argo...

CUT TO MED on Chiana, arriving at a control console, beginning to fiddle desperately with the controls.

RYGEL: ...no Aeryn, no Crichton.

CHIANA: Just us, okay?! And in a few microts, we'll be dead, too.

CUT TO MED on Zhaan, still standing with her hands raised, as if in surrender or prayer.

ZHAAN: No! D'Argo can save us. He can! He, he has to save us.

CUT TO MED on Sheyang vessel as the bright red/white 'lightening' of their weapons fire is unleashed, a huge gout of flame rushing outward.

CUT TO CLOSE on Pilot's react.

PILOT: They're firing.

CUT TO MED on Zhaan, keying the comms badge at her wrist. Camera rocks 'and' zooms in and out slightly in the shot.

ZHAAN: D'Argo, we need you!

CUT TO LONG on huge fireball approaching.

CUT TO MED LONG on Chiana slamming against the wall as the weapons fire strikes, then cuts to clamshell view of Pilot winking out on his shout of alarm and fear. Zhaan, Rygel and Chiana are rocked about command as the shot rocks wildly.

CHIANA: Zhaan?!

Lighting on Command dims almost to black before emergency lighting starts blinking wildly. Everyone shouts in fear. Zhaan's voice is wildly distorted as she shouts for aid yet again.

ZHAAN: D'Argo!

CUT AWAY TO MED on D'Argo, lying on his back somewhere, Zhaan's distorted voice, shouting his name, continues into the shot briefly before fading away. John's muted voice blends into the sound of Zhaan's voice just before her's fades. Shot pans slightly, showing little detail.

JOHN: [ V.O. ] D'Argo. Shake it off.

CUT TO CLOSE on John, seated with his back to camera, only partial side profile as he continues what must be a tired litany of 'coaching' to the unconscious Luxan. Camera pans 'slightly' revealing slightly more profile.

JOHN: ( softly persuasive ) Come on, Rock... get off the canvas, you can do it. Up and at 'em, rise and shine, break through. ( sighs ) Man, this is gettin' old.

CUT TO CLOSE on D'Argo, in left profile, still on his back, out like a light.

JOHN: [ V.O. ] The least you could do is talk in your sleep.

D'Argo abruptly lurches to life, half-sitting before John, who must've been sitting to his right nearby, presses slightly restraining hands onto his shoulder and chest. D'Argo looks around, alarmed and completely disoriented, and panting heavily.

D'ARGO: What would you like me to say?

JOHN: ( smiling ) Whoa! How 'bout, "great to be back"?

D'ARGO: Was I away?

JOHN: You sure as hell were. Days. I don't know how many. I kinda lost track of time. Do you know who I am?

D'ARGO: Yes, I recognize you, John. But I do not recognize this place! Am I dead?

D'Argo surges forward, grabbing a slightly bemused John by the throat.

JOHN: ( startled ) No!

D'ARGO: Am I dead?!

JOHN: No.

John puts a reassuring hand on D'Argo's arm, it's a gorgeous two-shot, shot pans right briefly before cutting to different angle, and panning left, repeating the process throughout. Shots stay close to medium on the two friends, revealing few details of where they are other than the tumbled down bits which 'filter' between the camera and John and D'Argo. Gorgeous, gorgeous scene.

JOHN: You're not dead.

D'Argo instantly releases a hearty laugh. John watches with a great big grin on his face.

D'ARGO: I, uh... I thought we were dead. Why aren't we?

JOHN: Aeryn. She finally managed to scoop us up, brought us here. Some... asteroid, abandoned mining camp, factory, I don't know, something like that.

D'ARGO: Where is she?

JOHN: She's in the prowler grocery shopping. This rock gets a 9 on atmosphere, but only 2 on food and water.

D'ARGO: We have a lot to thank her for.

JOHN: Yeah.

CUT TO CGI. ELS in angle down on an alien structure. What may be 'cylindrical buildings', little detail, ominous feel, all in gray shades. Shot zooms slowly in, angle down, on the prowler parked on a large platform jutting out from the side of the largest of the massive cylindrical structures.

AERYN: [ V.O. ] ( over comms ) Prowler to Talyn.

CRAIS: [ V.O. ] ( over comms ) What delayed you?

CUT TO INT. Prowler cockpit. MED on Aeryn, nicely grimy and sweaty, wearing a gray tank top and flight headset.

CRAIS: ( over comms ) You were supposed to check in two arns ago.

AERYN: I can't always get away on schedule. Don't forget, I have to give Crichton a reason for my absence.

CUT TO INT. Talyn, The Bridge. LONG on Crais, standing just beyond the center point of the bridge, between the two forward control consoles.

CRAIS: He still has no knowledge of our... arrangement?

CUT TO CGI. Ext. Space. ELS on Talyn, unmoving in the blue light of a nearby star, numerous small asteroids surround the vessel, filling the shot.

AERYN: [ V.O. ] ( over comms ) None.

CRAIS: [ V.O. ] ( over comms ) It might facilitate matters... if you explained to him.

AERYN: [ V.O. ] ( over comms ) No.

CUT TO MED on Crais.

CRAIS: Eventually... you'll have to.

CUT TO MED on Aeryn.

AERYN: Only when it's too late for him to interfere.

Aeryn reaches out, disengaging comms. Sighing she rubs her forehead distractedly, concern etched on her face.

END COLD OPEN

---

ROLL OPENING CREDITS

"My name is John Crichton, an astronaut... ...a radiation wave hit, and I got shot through a wormhole... now I'm lost in some distant part of the universe, on a ship-- a living ship, full of strange alien life-forms.... Help me. Listen please... is there anybody out there who can hear me? ....I'm being hunted by an insane military commander... doing everything I can... I'm just looking for a way home."

---

ACT I

CGI - Ext. 'mining colony', two gigantic cylindrical structures, identical except for the fact that the tower on the left is a collapsed ruin in the upper third of it's structure..

JOHN: [ V.O. ] You sure your memory's okay?

CUT TO - int. 'mining colony', as before Crichton and D'Argo are alone in fairly cramped quarters, both are up, Crichton 'pacing' and D'Argo seated on a large crate.

D'ARGO: How long was I without oxygen for?

JOHN: Long enough to scare the hell outta me--

JOHN: --what's the last thing you remember?

D'ARGO: Space, kronite, Gammak Base aflame-- magnificent sight.

JOHN: Absolutely.

D'ARGO: Did Moya get away?

JOHN: ( nodding ) Moya did, but, Talyn...

D'ARGO: Talyn?

JOHN: Yeah, Moya's baby.

D'ARGO: ( scowling ) Awful name. What happened to him?

JOHN: Crais happened. He made off with the baby.

D'ARGO: We should never have let him live!

JOHN: Yeah, I know.

D'ARGO: What happened to the Command Carrier?

JOHN: It's still in the area. Aeryn has spotted Maurauders (beat) checkin' the asteroid field out, but they haven't seen us yet.

D'ARGO: So, now we have to evade Scorpius, and then we have to find Crais, remove him from Talyn-- ( scowling angrily ) Who the yotz named him Talyn?!

AERYN: ( entering ) I did... after my father.

JOHN: Aeryn, check out who finally woke up from his little siesta.

In a wide long three-shot, Aeryn tosses John a small cylinder of provisions. She walks past D'Argo without seeming to take note of him. Her back to both men, she rummages through a pile of stuff, picking out two 'empty' cylinders before turning back, and heading out again.

AERYN: Yes, I have eyes Crichton.

D'ARGO: I have eyes as well. And they're very pleased to see you alive.

Pausing for just that microt, eyes locked with D'Argo, Aeryn continues out squelching a slight smile at the Luxan's words, she's halted only by John's hail.

JOHN: Hey, yo. What's the matter? Is there a problem?

Abandoning his perch behind the large hunk of equipment, John moves closer to her.

AERYN: All I managed to find is a little water, I'll have to keep exploring.

D'ARGO: Look, if this asteroid is unsuitable, then we should all leave.

JOHN: ( reasonably ) Good idea, change of scenery...

AERYN: No. This is the only asteroid I've seen with structures that'll hide you from the Maurauder patrols.

JOHN: Yeah, but... D'Argo's awake... we get outta the asteroid, we signal to Moya, she comes and she picks us up.

Shot cuts to ext. wide long 'letterbox cheat' -- Directed by Andrew Prowse -- Lovely three shot, physical dynamic demonstrating Aeryn's opposition to her two comrades. John & D'Argo 'divided' from her by whatever is 'really' going on, as well as the large piece of 'industrial equipment'. Lovely.

AERYN: We don't even know if Moya's in range, and we can't outrun a Command Carrier, so we have to remain hidden until the Carrier withdraws.

D'ARGO: What if it never does?!

AERYN: Well, Scorpius can't look for us forever, and he can't even be certain that you survived!

JOHN: Aeryn, Scorpius wants me pretty bad. His patience may outlast our Prowler's fuel.

D'ARGO: When the Prowler's fuel runs out, we starve! As John once said, I would rather go down on a swing!

JOHN: ( aside to D'Argo ) "Swinging...", that you wanna go down swinging.

D'ARGO: ( nodding and aside to John ) ... swinging.

AERYN: The only reason we'll starve, is if you don't stop this useless discussion, and let me keep searching for food.

D'ARGO: This discussion--

JOHN: Aeryn, D'Argo--

AERYN: ( cuts off both, shouting heatedly ) Stop it! Both of you! If not for me you'd both be dead, all right? So stop fighting me!

Aeryn whirls and stalks out, leaving a startled and confused D'Argo and John behind. John slaps the canister of provisions Aeryn dropped off, into D'Argo's hand and moves off.

CUT TO - Ext. Space - CGI - Moya cruising overhead.

CHIANA: [ V.O. ] Rygel... eat!

CUT TO - Int. Moya - close on strategy table, Chiana's familiar gloved hand circling over a rectangular plate of circular food cubes, selecting one as the shot pans R to close on Rygel and Chiana sitting at the table. Chi holds the food 'cube' out temptingly.

RYGEL: I can't eat.

CHIANA: What, you... you can't eat?

Rygel shakes his head miserably, Chiana runs gloved fingers over his nearest earbrow.

CHIANA: What? Any fever? Or, or dizziness? ( beat ) Or secretions that are even abnormal for you?

RYGEL: I'm not sick. I'm simply not hungry! ( angrily ) Ask Pilot why.

CHIANA: ( turning toward the clamshell ) Bad news Pilot?

PILOT: Moya is returning to the asteroid field where she last saw Talyn.

CHIANA: What?

RYGEL: There. You see?

CHIANA: Is Moya unclear on, on the concept of why we ran away?!

PILOT: She insists on searching for her offspring, despite the risk.

RYGEL: A Peacekeeper Command Carrier is slightly more than a risk!

PILOT: Moya and I have chosen a course that should allow us to reenter the field undetected.

CHIANA: But even then, we're flying in there unarmed, defenseless...

PILOT: We aren't entirely defenseless.

RYGEL: ( scoffing ) Ha! As good as! All we have is that antiquated Defense Screen we took from the wreck of the Zelbinion!

As a reminder to viewers who haven't seen the DS since PKTG, camera pans right to an equipment stack tucked into a side wall of command. Two tall 'octagonal' shaped cabinets covered in circular plug-ins, each glowing white. [ and NO, I'm NOT going to count them! :) ] Only the front four panels are in view [ assuming four rear panels as well ], and a heap of tangled wiring between them.

CHIANA: This pile of dren?

Shot cuts to close on Chiana's disbelieving expression.

CHIANA: Well, I-Is it even functional?!

PILOT: I'll have the DRDs give it a thorough going over.

Shot cuts to base of DS, where two DRDs waggle their antennas, busily doing 'something'. [ They look like cats playing with a mirror ]

PILOT: Moya doesn't understand your distress. Besides Talyn, we might also find Crichton, D'Argo and Aeryn.

CHIANA: If they could have gotten out... they would have by now.

Chiana turns to stalk away from the clamshell image of Pilot.

CUT TO - Ext. Space - CGI Close on Command Carrier, still hanging around in the asteroid field. Two Prowlers cross shot, R-L, heading in close on the port side of the Command Carrier as shot zooms in.

CUT TO Int. Command Carrier - close on PKSkipper, she appears to press three of the four small red lights on the 'black cap' on the right side of Scorpius's hood. Abruptly the black cap begins to spin counterclockwise, extruding from Scorpius's skull. Camera cuts briefly to close on Scorpius's grimacing deaths-head of a face, before cutting back to close on PKSkipper from over his shoulder. The exposed 'carriage' spins to a stop, cradling a bright red rod inside it. White hot steam wafts from the interior of the carriage.

Reaching out with black gloved hands, PKSkipper removes the red rod from the carriage, glancing at it briefly before putting it down, and replacing it by inserting a cool blue rod. Tapping one button on the front side of the cap, the carriage begins to spin clockwise, receding into Scorpius's skull. The cap slows to a stop as it reseats almost flush to his hood, a final gush of white smoke pouring from the sealing cavity.

BRACA: ( entering ) All patrols still report nothing, sir. Ah, no signal from Leviathan offspring, no...

PKSkipper examines the sealed chamber, and presses one final control on the cap before moving away. Halting before his new Commanding Officer, Braca trails off weakly, surprise and some curiosity plain on his face.

BRACA: ... trace of Crichton... nothing...

SCORPIUS: ( scowling ) I comprehend the meaning of "nothing", Lieutenant. ( beat ) After Crichton ejected from the Transport... it may have been a mistake to pull back and allow that rogue Prowler to rescue him.

BRACA: Oh, you had little choice, sir.

SCORPIUS: Oh, true. He would have chosen to perish... rather than be saved by us. But...

Placing one hand on Braca's shoulder, Scorpius drags him closer.

SCORPIUS: ...the Prowler...

Face to face with Scorpius, Braca flinches and looks away at his first words [ proof of Scorpy halitotis? ]

SCORPIUS: ... eluded capture. And continues to.

BRACA: In a field of this size, we may never find it.

SCORPIUS: Time for a change of tactics.

CUT TO - Ext. Space - CGI - ELS on Talyn hanging somewhere in the asteroid field.

CRAIS: [ V.O. ] Talyn!

CUT TO Int. Talyn - The Bridge - Crais, wound up in a state, paces at the centerpoint, trying persuasion on the infant Leviathan gunship. Crais's words are counterpointed by the electronic blips and bleeps that pass for Talyn's 'language'.

CRAIS: Stop this senseless behavior. Your mother has gone. Do you understand? Moya has abandoned you.

Crais paces a bit more, silence reigns for mere moments before the whining sound of Talyn's engines powering up fills the Bridge.

CRAIS: What are you doing? Power down your engines at once! Leaving the protection of the field right now is suicidal.

The sound of the engines diminish, Talyn's electronic language continues off and on, petulant whining.

CRAIS: I know you detest all this hiding. You're a gunship-- a warrior. You want to move, to fight...

The doors to the bridge slide open and Aeryn steps inside.

CRAIS: ...but you're not yet strong enough to take on a Command Carrier.

Crais stalks toward Aeryn as she enters, shifting his demands to her.

CRAIS: He's going berserk. Talk to him!

AERYN: Talyn.... What's the matter?

Talyn bleeps his concerns to Aeryn, who apparently understands what he has to bleep.

AERYN: Show us.

She and Crais pause while Talyn bleeps, bloops and flashes random lights around the cabin.

AERYN: There's no reason to be afraid... I'm here... so is Crais. Talyn, we want to help you, please. Let us see what's upsetting you.

A brief click is followed by a cacaphony of noise.

CRAIS: Communications.

Aeryn and Crais cross the bridge to a forward control console, examining readouts.

AERYN: Broadband transmissions. Random noises mixed with distortion spikes.

CRAIS: Scorpius.

Aeryn moves back to the centerpoint, her hands affectionately stroking the edge of a wide circular area above her head.

AERYN: Talyn, these signals mean nothing. They're intended to alarm you and to make you run.

CRAIS: Talyn, do not play into the hands of your enemy. Remain right where you are. You're... brave enough to do that... aren't you?

A long downward spiral of sound indicates the powering down of Talyn's systems. Satisfied, both former Peacekeepers smile and nod proudly.

AERYN: Very good, Talyn.

CRAIS: Talyn... excuse us for a moment.

Crais gestures for Aeryn to precede him to the forward area. Aeryn crosses in front of Crais slowly, briefing him as she walks to the private area he indicates.

AERYN: D'Argo's regained consciousness. He and Crichton are eager to leave.

Stopping in the forward area of the Bridge, Aeryn leans against the wall, facing away from Crais who places a hand on the wall at her shoulder. Shot is close on the pair as he leans in close in a familiar manner.

AERYN: And don't suggest that we simply abandon them, because that wasn't part of our arrangement.

CRAIS: We... can't leave just yet. Talyn is still too immature. No weapons. No Starburst. And he continues to... ignore my commands.

AERYN: You can't command a Leviathan, you can only persuade.

CRAIS: Talyn is part Leviathan, part Peacekeeper. He was designed to take orders.

Aeryn turns to face to Crais, smiling warmly.

AERYN: Why don't you let me talk to him... alone?

CRAIS: No. I'm willing to share command of Talyn. I will not... relinquish it.

CUT TO Int. 'mining camp' - shot zooms in on profile shot of D'Argo and John... playing a 'game'.

JOHN: Again?

D'ARGO: Yeah.

Fisted right hands raise and drop thrice, to John's 'counting' of the throw.

JOHN: One, two, three.

D'Argo's fist drops and stills on the count of three, but maintains it's fist shape... the symbol for 'Rock'. John's hand freezes on the same count, fingers extended, hand in a flat plane, the symbol for 'Paper'. D'Argo laughs raucously, slapping John on the shoulder.

D'ARGO: ( laughing ) Again, I win!

JOHN: ( smiling ) No, I win. Paper wraps Rock.

John demonstrates the victory by wrapping his open hand around D'Argo's fist.

D'ARGO: No, paper can't possibly beat rock.

JOHN: It does. Paper beats rock.

D'ARGO: ( sourly ) Rock rips through paper.

JOHN: D'Argo, that's not how it works. Paper beats rock.

D'ARGO: That is unrealistic!

JOHN: ( impatiently ) Well, it's the rules, and it's not supposed to be realisitic, it's supposed to be entertaining.

Shot cuts to a break in a wooden partition to the right of the disgruntled and arguing pair. Aeryn approaches down a corridor on the other side of the partition. Shot cuts to corridor as the argument continues.

D'ARGO: [o.s.] My coma was more entertaining.

JOHN: [o.s.] ( curtly ) It's a kids game.

Aeryn steps into the small space where John and D'Argo have been confined due to necessity, passing them quickly. John leaps to his feet following her, D'Argo stands, but doesn't follow.

JOHN: Aeryn... good hunting?

D'ARGO: Should we give you a hand?

Aeryn roots through the pile of containers again, doing her best to ignore them.

AERYN: No need.

JOHN: No? It's no problem.

Placing the two containers she brought back on the floor against the wall, she turns and moves to stalk out again.

AERYN: What did I say? I don't need any help.

Pacing quickly behind her, John takes her elbow and pulls her to a stop, turning her toward him.

JOHN: I think you do.

D'ARGO: I'm certain you do.

D'Argo steps down from his perch, shot is MED to L with John and Aeryn in FG and D'Argo L in BG.

AERYN: This is ridiculous.

She turns to try to walk away again, John stops her again, turning her back to face him.

JOHN: I have a question. How many times have we saved each other's lives?

Lovely shot as camera moves in to close on John and Aeryn facing each other, D'Argo is long in BG between the two.

AERYN: I've lost count.

JOHN: Safe to say more than once?

AERYN: Sure.

JOHN: Right. And how many times have you and I been close?

Hesitantly, Aeryn glances toward the Luxan, then back to John, reluctantly answering with some confusion and a slight smile.

AERYN: ( quietly ) Just the once.

John's turn to be embarrassed.

JOHN: No... um.

Glancing down, two fingers of his right hand pressed to his temple, his eyes slide askance and up to Aeryn's.

JOHN: ( quietly ) No, no, no, no. Not that kind of close.

Relieved, and responding slightly louder than necessary...

AERYN: Oh! Um.... Friend close?

JOHN: ( smiles and nods ) Yes.

His eyes cut toward D'Argo while Aeryn fumbles for an answer.

AERYN: Um...

Clearing her throat and thinking rapidly, blurting out an uncertain answer.

AERYN: ...ah, um... more than once.

JOHN: Yeah. Right, well... whatever... our relationship is. ( Beat ) We should be at a place where we can trust one another. I think you're holding something back.

Aeryn's gaze slides away from his, her marked inhale of resignation tells Crichton and D'Argo that John's instincts are likely correct.

JOHN: Look me in the eye....

Aeryn's lowered gaze rises reluctantly to his.

JOHN: Look me in the eye. ( Beat ) Tell me... that I'm wrong.

Wordlessly, she walks away from him, leaning against the far wall. Crichton releases his breath in a hard humorless chuckle, turning to examine her back from his place across the room-- waiting he nervously presses his thumb to his lips.

AERYN: You're not going to like what I have to say.

JOHN: Hm, maybe not.

John presses a hand to the back of his neck, not looking forward to whatever it is, likely sorry his instincts were correct. Aeryn turns about, leaning against the wall, eyeing him from across the room.

AERYN: In order to save your lives, I had to make a deal with Crais.

D'ARGO: What?!

JOHN: Slow down. Stop. You had to what?

AERYN: By the time I retrieved you, Moya had gone. You were both about to suffocate... and then Crais signaled me from Talyn with the coordinates to an oxygen atmosphere asteroid.

D'ARGO: This asteroid.

AERYN: I never would have found it on my own. Not in time, anyway.

JOHN: ( curtly ) Back up. What's your end in this deal?

AERYN: When Moya left, Talyn got upset-- stopped obeying Crais. I agreed to help calm Talyn down... teach him to start obeying Crais's orders.

JOHN: Oh, well, I...

Another mirthless and creepy chuckle.

JOHN: ...that makes sense.

Sensing John's disapproval and noting his building anger, Aeryn moves closer, anticipating confrontation.

JOHN: You're-you're helping Talyn... obey the guy ( shouting ) who kidnapped him!

Tempers flare and EVERYONE shouts angrily.

AERYN: ( shouting ) I didn't have another choice!

D'ARGO: You should have let us die!

AERYN: No, I couldn't have.

D'ARGO: That offspring has weaponry! And you've put that weaponry within the grasp of Crais.

AERYN: Oh, what would you prefer, D'Argo? That Scorpius gets Talyn, or destroys Talyn?! Right now, even Crais's control is better than no control at all!

JOHN: Right now?! And when exactly is that gonna change, Aeryn? After Crais has brainwashed him, he's gonna give him back?!

AERYN: I told you you wouldn't like what I had to say!

JOHN: I don't!

D'ARGO: Neither do I!

AERYN: Yeah, well, it's all we have.

D'ARGO: No, it isn't.

Shot cuts to wide and long as D'Argo, from across the room, lashes out with Luxan tongue snapping against Aeryn's neck. She drops to the deck, instantly out. Too startled to move, John's gaze leaps to the angry Luxan.

END ACT I

---

ACT II